Saturday 3 March 2012 13.24 EST
First published on Saturday 3 March 2012 13.24 EST

Neil Lennon refused to criticise his Celtic players after seeing their winning streak end with a 1-1 draw against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Anthony Stokes looked to have put the visitors on course for a 21st consecutive victory in domestic competitions when he scored after 28 minutes. However, Aberdeen equalised when Gavin Rae's left-foot shot took a wicked deflection off the Celtic debutant Andre Blackman and beat the goalkeeper Fraser Forster a minute before the break.

The Celtic manager felt the midday kick-off, coming on the back of a full fixture card of midweek international matches, contributed to his team's below-par performance. Lennon said: "I don't know who scheduled the game but that has certainly not done us any favours. I think that has played as much a part as Aberdeen's performance in this run ending. The result is no surprise considering the call-offs and the schedules that the players have had this week. It is obvious that they are tired, mentally and physically. The draw was totally understandable in the circumstances."

A spirited second-half display from Aberdeen helped them continue their own unbeaten run, which now stretches to 12 games. The Aberdeen manager, Craig Brown, was disappointed with a point. "We only got one point so it is moderately pleasing – the better team drew.

"We were desperate to get three points but I suppose when a team comes having won 20 games in a row and we get a draw it is satisfactory."

Motherwell beat Dunfermline 2-0 at East End Park to extend the Pars' miserable run without a home victory in the Scottish Premier League to 15.

Dunfermline's goalkeeper, Chris Smith, gifted the visitors the opening goal when he let Michael Higdon's weak shot slip through his grasp in the 64th minute.

Henrik Ojamaa then doubled the visitors' lead when he powered a shot beyond the helpless keeper six minutes later.

Victory for Motherwell moves them within three points of Rangers in second place while Dunfermline are now four points adrift at the foot of the league table.

Dean Shiels and Cillian Sheridan were both sent off after being punished for simulation as Kilmarnock and St Johnstone shared a goalless draw at Rugby Park.

Two minutes from the break Alan Mannus saved a weak penalty from the Kilmarnock midfielder Shiels after the Saints left-back Callum Davidson was adjudged by the referee Craig Charleston to have pulled down Gary Harkins in the box.

The former Hibs player, who was booked for going in too hard for the rebound, compounded his error when he was dismissed in the 75th minute after picking up his second yellow card for simulation in the Saints penalty area.

There was more drama to follow two minutes from time as the Saints striker Sheridan, booked in the 70th minute for kicking the ball away, was shown his second yellow card by Charleston, also for simulation, this time inside the Killie penalty area. Neither side did enough to deserve all three points but Saints continue their quest for a European spot.

Hibernian eased their relegation worries with a 0-0 draw against St Mirren at Easter Road. The Buddies goalkeeper Craig Samson saved a first-half James McPake header and second-half shots in quick succession from Leigh Griffiths and the substitute David Wotherspoon as 11th-placed Hibs moved four points clear of Dunfermline at the foot of the table.